NATIONAL DAY CLASSROOM – Week 1 – September 1-7, 2017 (Go to Week 2)
During the month of September, the National Day Calendar Classroom will kick off the school year with a theme. Starting with National Read a Book Day on September 6, we provide a reading list of kids cookbooks that will prepare the class for celebrating National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day on September 13. We will also provide project ideas for that week and Weeks 3 and 4. So keep checking back for resources and ideas!
CLASS IN SESSION
Kids cookbooks have come a long way. National Day Calendar reviewed several for National Read a Book Day. Whether the recipes inspire the students or they inspire you, there is an opportunity to integrate some nutrition, math, history and social skills into one lesson. Each cookbook is available in a digital format, too.
Cooking Class: 57 Fun Recipes Kids Will Love to Make (and Eat!) by Deanna F. Cook – Age 6 and up
Kid Chef by Melina Hammer – Grades 3 – 7
The U.S. History Cookbook: Delicious Recipes and Exciting Events from the Past by Karen E. Drummond – Grades 4-7
The Everything Kids’ Cookbook by Sandra Nissenberg – Grades 4 and up
The International Cookbook for Kids by Matthew Locricchio – Grade 5 and up
Teens Cook: How to Cook What You Want to Eat by Megan Carle, Jill Carle and Judi Carle – Grade 7 and up
ASSIGNMENT
Whether you select from the reading list, have students bring cookbooks from home or use a selection of recipe books you already have, there are a variety of ways to manipulate this assignment for all skill levels. Cookbooks teach us more than just how to cook. We learn fractions, chemistry, regional and world cultures, history and team work.
Here are just a few assignments for this week’s National Read a Book Day featuring cookbooks.
- Have students read a fun cookbook for kids and discuss their favorite recipes in the books. What recipe looked the most difficult? Why? Which one was the easiest?
- Bring measuring cups and spoons to help young students identify the difference between the measurements in the recipes. Students can practice measuring with bead, marbles or Legos.
- Students can bring cookbooks from home. Have them prepare a story about their favorite recipe and how it’s prepared at home. What kind of food is it and why is it the student’s favorite?
- Have students divide into groups and decide on a recipe they would like to make. Ask them to double the recipe to serve a larger group of people. Using the internet, shop for sales and find the best deals to make the meal on a budget you set.
Having picked out a cookbook, and from there, a specific recipe… it is time to make it happen!
Hopefully, and recommended, is to pick a recipe such as ‘no bake’ cookies the students can put together in the classroom. When you’re finished, enjoy snacking.
And take pictures during the entire process from the beginning to the end. We hope to see some of those photos too… so tag us on Instagram using @natdaycal — that’s our account.
